Job Description
We are recruiting a senior advisor within our national Nutrients team to develop the Environment Agency’s understanding and response to one of the biggest pressures on the water environment – nutrients. This is an important and exciting role at the heart of how we enable improvements to water quality that deliver better climate resilience, sustainable growth and nature recovery.
Our evidence tells us that current approaches to nutrient management are not enough, so we are embarking on a journey to rethink how we tackle problems associated with excess nutrients. We need a high performing, motivated individual to help us shape a joined‑up future for nutrient management across all our functions. This role will help ensure the Environment Agency can deliver commitments under our corporate strategy (EA2030), the Environment Improvement Plan and statutory duties. You will champion a cohesive approach to managing the entire, interlinked nitrogen and phosphorus cycles to reduce nutrient waste and imports, improve reuse within the system, and support sustainable growth. Your expertise and advocacy will increase the prospects for circular approaches to nutrient management to be embedded as part of regulatory reform.
Key responsibilities
* Provide expert advice on nutrients, through bringing together teams covering water industry, agriculture, industry and impacts on air, land and water
* Develop our organisational approach to holistic sustainable nutrient management, building on circular economy principles
* Drive innovative approaches to take a more sustainable approach to nutrient management
* Shape legislation, policy and guidance to embed a circular approach to nutrient management, including through emerging proposals for the new water regulator
* Collaborate on key planning frameworks including river basin planning, water company investment, and with teams covering agriculture, waste management and industrial regulation
Experience / skills required
* Excellent track record of delivery of complex programmes of work and experience of working with colleagues at a senior level
* Comfortable working with uncertainty and excellent at developing innovative approaches
* Good understanding of the different sectors responsible for nutrient management and the legislation and policies that govern nutrients in England
* Excellent networking and communication skills, and experience of uniting diverse perspectives to achieve a common goal
* Experience of engaging with Defra or other government departments and a successful track record of influencing policy decisions
The team
You will join the Nutrients and Nature Recovery team, which is part of Team Water in the Environment and Business directorate. We are a small, friendly, dispersed team that provides strategic leadership on nutrients and has responsibility for the diffuse water pollution plan programme and growth policies relating to nutrients, such as nutrient neutrality. We meet face to face, normally quarterly, and aim to provide a supportive, inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.
Benefits and working conditions
The role is national with flexible working location and supports inclusive and diverse workforce. Flexible working patterns, including job share, are welcome. The Environment Agency has a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.
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